RESIDENTS of Lusaka’s Chunga now have something to smile about after the Zambia National Service completed the construction of a bridge which is the easier way of getting to Matero township on the way to the central business district.

Mwembeshi Ward 27 councillor Crispin Kabole confirmed the completion of the bridge on Chitanda Road which has since been opened to motorists and pedestrains.

Mr. Kabole said the bridge was constructed by the ZNS in conjunction with the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) at a cost of K450,000.

“I am elated with the development, the people of Chunga have waited for this bridge for too long; it means a lot to them and I am happy that I was part of this.

“I wish to commend ZNS and the DMMU for constructing a good bridge,” he said.

Mr. Kabole also indicated that a neighbourhood watch team had been constituted to ensure that the bridge was not vandalised by members of the community.

He urged residents and members of the public especially from Chunga to guard the bridge jealously.

“We have set up a group of people from the neighbourhood to look after the bridge and ensure that the bridge is not vandalised. My appeal to residents and the people out there is that they should look after this bridge,” he said.

But in a dramatic turn of events, the bridge cannot manage the water flow as rain water passes over the crossing facility during heavy rains.

One resident confessed that last Friday when it rained heavily a vehicle was swept off the bridge by rain water.